Interpreting the Five Books of Moses
Instructor
Rev. Mark B. Poe (MA in Biblical Studies and MA in Christian Thought, GCTS)
mpoe@gordonconwell.edu; mbpoe@att.net; 704-435-6408
Dates and Times:
Classes will be held at University Park Baptist Church (6029 Beattie’s Ford Road,
Charlotte, NC 28216, ph. 704-392-1681) on Thursday evenings (6:45-8:45) from September 19
through November 21, 2011. This course is Part 1 of a 3-part sequence that will tour the entire
Old Testament. The second course on the Historical and Poetic books will be held in the winter
term and the third course on the Prophetic books will be held in the spring term, both at
University Park Baptist Church. Participants may register for some or all of the courses; there
are no prerequisites. However, it is strongly recommended that students engage in the whole
journey through the Old Testament and then continue through the New Testament the
following year.
Registration:
Registration for courses is required.
Please visit https://my.gordonconwell.edu/biblejourneyregistration or call Church
Relations Coordinator, Dr. Alison Littauer, at 1-704-940-5814, for more information.
Participants will sign up either for audit (those who sit in the class for personal enrichment
only) or for credit (those who turn in weekly assignments and may receive credit toward a
seminary certificate). Credit students are required to participate in break-out groups for a ½
hour either before or after class each evening. These sessions are led by Gordon-Conwell
graduates.
Certification:
Credit students who meet all the requirements for the complete 6-course sequence in
Old and New Testaments (including two interpretation papers) are eligible to receive a
Certificate in Biblical Interpretation. This certificate will exempt those interested in any masters
or other certificate program at the seminary from up to three courses (OT Survey, NT Survey,
and Biblical Interpretation).
Note: The cost of the 6-course sequence is the cost of one graduate level course. Therefore,
students completing the Certificate in Biblical Interpretation will have taken three courses for
the price of one.
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Objectives:
1. To provide participants with a comprehensive grasp of the main figures, events, and
themes in the Old Testament, their relationship to the New Testament, and their
ongoing significance for our lives.
2. To enlighten participants with background information and resources that clarify God’s
revelation in its original setting.
3. To equip participants to interpret the Bible correctly by introducing appropriate tools
and methods.
Format:
Classroom sessions will include presentations on each book of the Bible, featuring “in
the text” summaries, “behind the text” background, and “in front of the text” interpretation
and application. Outlines and/or notes will be available on the course website
(http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Class-Notes.cfm). Ideally, the assigned readings
for each week should be done before class.
Textbooks:
1. The Bible (preferably the NIV and a study Bible such as the NIV Study Bible or the NIV
Archaeology Study Bible).
2. B. T. Arnold and B. E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament (Baker, 2008).
3. J. S. Duvall and Hayes, J. D., Grasping God’s Word, 3rd ed. (Zondervan, 2012) and, for
auditors, Journey into God’s Word (same authors and publisher).
4. R. Youngblood, The Heart of the Old Testament (Baker, 1998).
Note: These textbooks will be used throughout the Old Testament course sequence.
Recommended Textbook
James C. Martin, John A. Beck, and David G. Hansen, A Visual Guide to Bible Events:
Fascinating Insights into Where They Happened and Why (Baker Books, 2009).
Assignments:
Weekly 1-2 page assignments will be expected of those who take the class for credit.
Assignments are found on the website (http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/ClassAssignments.cfm) and will be submitted to the teaching assistant and discussed during the
weeknight sessions. Participants will also be required to complete a reading log for the
assigned texts. **A final test will be taken at the end of the course. Plan on at least 5 hours
each week for reading and assignments.
** Final Test (25-35 question multiple choice) will be taken with a proctor and must be
postmarked on December 19. Mail to: Mark Poe, 207 West Church Street, Cherryville, NC
28021.
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Course Assessment
The course grade will be calculated as follows:
Weekly Assignments (8 @ 5% each)
Reading Log
Final Quiz
40%
30%
30%
100%
Attendance and Missed Classes:
Credit students will need to be in attendance all nine (9) weeks. Any credit student who
is absent for more than two sessions (including break-out groups) will be moved to audit
status. Students are required to contact their TA prior to missing a class when an absence is
anticipated. Emergency absences will be dealt with on a case by case basis. In addition,
students may download audio recordings of missed classes to maintain their pace with the
course assignments.
Discounts and Refunds:
Gordon-Conwell has significantly reduced the tuition for these courses to make them
affordable to our community. We assume that churches will further subsidize this outreach for
their members if hardship exists. Full refunds will be provided only through the second week of
the course for any reason.
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Course Outline
1. (9/19) Origins of the World (Genesis 1-11)
Biblical Topics: Creation, God’s image, sin, judgment, and the plan of redemption
Background: Ancient Near Eastern accounts of creation, temple building, and image making
Contemporary Issues: Evolution, ecology, and living in a “fallen” world
Readings: Genesis 1-11; Arnold/Beyer chp 4; Youngblood chp 2; Grasping God’s Word chps 1-5 (begin)
Auditors: Genesis 1-4, 6-9; Journey Into God’s Word chp 1
2. (9/26) Family with a Promise (Genesis 12-50)
Biblical Topics: God’s promises and the patriarchal stories
Background: Geography; Covenant “cutting” and patriarchal culture
Contemporary Issues: God’s mission to the world, living by faith
Readings: Genesis 12-50; Arnold/Beyer chp 5; Youngblood chp 4; Grasping chps 1-5 (finish)
Auditors: Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22, 25, 27, 37, 50; Journey chp 2
3. (10/3) A Nation Formed - Part 1 (Exodus 1-19)
Biblical Topics: Exodus, Passover, and God as Father, Shepherd, Warrior, and Husband
Background: The plagues and the gods of Egypt
Contemporary Issues: Hardened hearts, Passover and the Last/Lord’s Supper
Readings: Exodus 1-19; Arnold/Beyer – begin chp 6; Youngblood chp 3; Grasping chp 8
Auditors: Exodus 1-4, 12-17; Journey chp 3
4. (10/10) A Nation Formed - Part 2 (Exodus 20-40)
Biblical Topics: Israel’s broken covenant and God’s tent among his people
Background: Suzerainty treaties
Contemporary Issues: God’s presence on earth
Readings: Exodus 20-40; Arnold/Beyer – finish chp 6; Youngblood chp 5; Grasping chp 6
Auditors: Exodus 19-24; Journey chp 5
5. (10/17) A Holy People - Part 1 (Leviticus 1-16)
Biblical Topics: “Torah,” priests, sacrifices, and offerings
Background: Pagan notions of sacrifice, magic, and the gods; Law “codes” in the near East
Contemporary Issues: “Holy” living, sacrifice, and the “priesthood of all believers”
Readings: Leviticus 1-16; Arnold/Beyer – begin chp 7; Youngblood chp 7; Grasping chps 7; 10-13
Auditors: Leviticus 1-7; Journey chp 8
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6. (10/24) A Holy People - Part 2 (Leviticus 17-27)
Biblical Topics: Sabbath and pilgrimage festivals
Background: Seasons, gods, and Israel’s calendar
Contemporary Issues: “Christian Sabbath,” “Holy days” and sacraments/ordinances
Readings: Leviticus 17-27; Arnold/Beyer – finish chp 7; Youngblood chp 8; Grasping chp 19
Auditors: Leviticus 17-25
*** (10/31) – Break
7. (11/7) The Wilderness Sojourn (Numbers)
Biblical Topics: Human failure and divine faithfulness on the journey from Sinai to the Jordan River
Background: Geography of the sojourn and God’s mobile militia
Contemporary Issues: God’s wrath and patience: Lost and second chances
Readings: Numbers (complete); Arnold/Beyer chp 8; Youngblood chp 9; Grasping chps 6 & 18
Auditors: Numbers 9-14
8. (11/14) The Covenant Renewed (Deuteronomy 1-26)
Biblical Topics: Recounting God’s faithfulness; Life in the covenant community; A “prophet like Moses”
Background: Treaties revisited
Contemporary Issues: “Other gods” and punishment, discipline, and logical consequences
Readings: Deuteronomy 1-26; Arnold/Beyer chp 9; Youngblood chp 1; Grasping chp 9
Auditors: Deuteronomy 1-10; Journey chp 6
9. (11/21) Final Wrap up (Deuteronomy 27-34)
Biblical Topics: Covenant renewal; Moses’ final words
Background: Politics and religion in the ancient Near East
Contemporary Issues: Balancing the past and the future: Telling stories and renewing promises
Readings: Deuteronomy 27-34; Arnold/Beyer chp 3; Youngblood chp 10; Grasping Appendix 1
Auditors: Deuteronomy 27-31
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